Straws are for children or invalids, I always thought. I’ve never in my life requested or bought a straw, or wanted one to drink through.
But they’re handy for drinking something iced or juicy while driving, I guess. A bit less messy, but without is fine too.
Physicists are wusses. Ask somebody’s dad.
Do milkshakes count as “cold beverages” for these purposes?
straws are good for children who might not have tge strength, coordination and coodination to hold on to a big beverage without risk of spillage.
they should be used by adults and children to drink milkshakes. this is good lung exercise.
I love straws when one’s handed to me, but I don’t take the initiative to get one. And I have a probably irrational fear that if I use one in a hot drink, the plastic will melt. So sometimes with a cold beverage, but pretty rarely.
Only at fast food restaurants, because they’re there. (Like climbing a mountain.) At home, if somebody needed a straw I could probably find one in the pantry but it’d be covered in dust.
It’s not peach season her. Now you’ve gone and made me crave a peach.
Chocolate malt - TWO straws, always. The goodness is spread evenly into my mouth by directing the flow to each side.
Everything else - NO straw.
However, reading this thread has given me a sudden hankering to suck a peach pie through a straw. 
the crust will plug the straw.
how about a peach smoothie instead?
Not if it’s as flaky as it’s supposed to be! 
John Wayne never used a straw so I don’t either.
When I was younger I had to wear headgear at night. Then only way to drink then was to use a straw.
Aha, an assumption not based in fact!
You ain’t from here, are ya?
Yep, and it’s consumed with a spoon if thick enough. If not spoon thick then normal, strawless drinking will suffice. It’s fun to lick milkshake remnants from one’s moustache.
I only said “sometimes” because I don’t always have the opportunity to use them. For example, I’d never use them in a proper restaurant. But left to my own devices, hells yeah, a straw. Cold beverages only, though; I’ve never considered having a hot beverage with a straw–wouldn’t it melt?
Anyway, for me, straws are more fun. I don’t care if it’s childish, it gets me to drink more. Also, no lipstick to wash off the glass. (Speaking of vanity: I try not to purse my lips too much–don’t wanna get wrinkles.)
And they’re great when you have a toothache, let me tell you! You can bypass most of your teeth entirely if you put the straw lightly farther back on your tongue. I think this might actually be beneficial for one’s tooth enamel, at least slightly.
Another benefit is mentioned earlier as a joke, but when drinking out of cans or bottles, I definitely will opt for a straw if at all possible. I don’t know where these things have been stored before I got them, or how clean they are. Straws give the illusion (if nothing else) of saving me from the wee little beasties lurking on the unknown can. (I say “illusion” because if they’re lurking on the outside of the can lid, they can probably creep inside once it’s open anyway, so… still, at least I’m not putting my mouth directly on 'em.)
The trick with ice and avoiding the “drinking the warmest part of the drink,” RealityChuck, is lifting the straw a bit and sipping so the end is in the ice section. Easy.
Finally, with milkshakes, ideally it’s thick enough to enjoy with a spoon. If not, definitely a straw for me. It feels like it lasts longer that way, too.
P.S. All the better if it’s a bendy straw! Loooove bendy straws. Just the little plasticky noise they make when bending them back and forth makes me nostalgic and happy. Silly I know.
Maybe his memory predated plastic straws, when they were paper and often would end up flattened and useless in the mouth, especially with thick milkshakes*.
*Milkshakes, not fast-food joints’ chemical “shakes.”
I use a straw when I’m given one at a restaurant.
Outside of a restaurant, there’s only one situation where I use a straw: while I’m driving. We have a pack of straws in our glove compartment for that purpose.
I only ever use this straw, carrying it with me at all times to all functions.
No straws. Drinks taste better without them, as the straws limit distribution of the beverage across the taste buds. Someone said use a straw because the glass at the restaurant might be dirty- what about the forks, spoons, and plates?
That’s why every restaurant, no matter how rarefied, should serve its fare wrapped in paper or in hinged cardboard boxes.
Wine should be served from a cardboard-box spigot.
I didn’t use straws most of my adult life. I’ve recently started using them at some restaurants for sanitary reasons. I’m not always sure how clean the glasses are. Especially water glasses.
I hate straws in hot drinks. Too easy to burn my mouth.
I have to use a straw and the lid drinking soda in a car. I take the straw out if I bring my fast food lunch home or eat it at my desk.
